Stetson Bennett addresses Hendon Hooker Heisman controversy

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett spoke on his being selected as a Heisman Trophy finalist over Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker. 

On Saturday, Dec. 10, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner will be named. The four finalists were revealed in the days prior to the event. Three of the finalists were essentially givens in USC’s Caleb Williams, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, and TCU’s Max Duggan. But the other player named as a finalist created a bit of controversy in the college football world, and that was Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett.

The reason for the controversy was due to Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker being snubbed from being a finalist. That focus was then placed on Bennett, considering he was a surprise finalist.

Ahead of the Heisman ceremony, Bennett spoke on Hooker being left out and the heat that he’s catching for being named the fourth finalist. The video comes courtesy of Dawg Central.

Stetson Bennett speaks on being named Heisman trophy finalist over Hendon Hooker

“I don’t think it’s fair to Hendon,” said Bennett. “He’s a great player. I don’t think it should be spoken of in that light. I think he should be getting respect for the year that he had, and not what could have been, but what was. He almost, not singlehandedly, was a main factor in that program changing course…

“As far as me getting hate for it, doesn’t bother me really because I didn’t make that call.”

Hooker had an unreal second season for the Volunteers. He helped lead the program to huge wins like Florida, LSU, and Pittsburgh. But nothing could top how he led Tennessee to a 52-49 win over Alabama. As a result of his play, Tennessee received the No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings of the season.

Sadly for Hooker, he tore his ACL in the team’s Nov. 19 game against South Carolina, effectively ending his season.

On the year, Hooker recorded 3,135 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, and just two interceptions while completing 69.6 percent of his passes.

As for Bennett, he may not have put up numbers like fellow finalists in Williams and Stroud, but he had some solid showings throughout the year. There was his 368 passing yard performance in Georgia’s 49-3 season-opening win over Oregon, and his four-touchdowns thrown in their 50-30 SEC Championship Game win over LSU.

Bennett threw for 3,425 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions while completing 68.1 percent of his passes.

Even though he was named a finalist, vitriol shouldn’t be directed Bennett’s way. He had no say in the matter, he had just enough votes to receive an invitation to the ceremony in New York City.

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